Poor Girls

New historical crime from award-winning writer Clare Whitfield, based on a real-life all-female London crime gang. Twenty-one-year-old Eleanor Mackridge leaves behind her working-class family to reinvent herself as 'Nell the Mack' in the Forty Elephants.

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'Funny, fast-paced and dark... with dialogue that absolutely crackles’ ELODIE HARPER
'A brave, bold novel' ARAMINTA HALL

Men steal everything. Now we want our share.

1922. Twenty-four-year-old Eleanor Mackridge is horrified by the future mapped out for her – to serve the upper classes or find a husband. During the war, she found freedom in joining the workforce at home, but now women are being put back in their place.

Until Eleanor crosses paths with a member of the notorious female-led gang the Forty Elephants: bold women who wear diamonds and fur, drink champagne and gin, who take what they want without asking. Now, she sees a new future for herself: she can serve, marry – or steal.

After all, men will only let you down. Diamonds are forever.

In Poor Girls, Clare Whitfield exposes the criminal underbelly of 1920s London – but this isn't a morality tale, it's an adventure for the willingly wicked.

'Memorable, outrageous and full of heart. Loved it – every time I put it down I couldn’t wait to pick it up again.’ ELENI KYRIACOU

'Wonderfully roguish characters, and great period detail. Really enjoyable.' IAN MOORE

'A richly vivid and picaresque masterwork, Poor Girls is by turns humorous, horrifying and humane.' TOM MEAD

'A compulsive read... A real page turner.' CAITLIN DAVIES


Join the growing fans of the Forty Elephants…

‘Clare Whitfield's best book to date.’ Reader Review

‘What a ride, this book is so much fun.’ Reader Review

‘Will make you laugh but also shed a tear.’ Reader Review

‘I highly recommend it to anyone drawn to tales of resilience, ambition, and rebellion.’ Reader Review

‘Such a brilliant book, everyone should read it!’ Reader Review

‘Glamorous and uncompromising.’ Reader review